Top 10: Male Initiation Rituals

Throughout human history, in disparate global regions, the phenomenon of the male initiation ritual has prevailed. They are unique to the cultures that create them, but their purposes are often identical. The initiation ritual is seen as a rite of passage in the life of a male, symbolically defining the moment when he leaves boyhood behind and becomes a man. In many cultures it also tests bravery, strength and a man’s ability to make a useful contribution to society. As an opportunity to weed out the weak and to encourage men to conform to social expectations or face exclusion, they are extremely potent.

The Western world has little by way of male initiation rituals rites, but coming-of-age-type ceremonies do pop up here and there. The 21st birthday celebration, for example, is a relatively benign initiation, with excessive alcohol consumption the worst thing an initiate experiences. But the 10 male initiation rituals listed here are some of the most spectacular examples of the event from around the world, reflecting a vast cultural variety. Westerners may flinch at what seems extreme, but for each of these societies, they are integral parts of their cultures — and some are even practical.